Evaluating emergency service response to COVID-19: A scoping review.

Autor: Waring S; Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK., Bromley C; Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK., Giles S; Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: The International journal of health planning and management [Int J Health Plann Manage] 2024 Jul; Vol. 39 (4), pp. 1009-1021. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jan 12.
DOI: 10.1002/hpm.3767
Abstrakt: Introduction: The issue of how emergency services (police, fire, ambulance, local authorities) respond to pandemics has received greater research focus recently in relation to the COVID-19 outbreak, which saw agencies going beyond usual roles to support communities for prolonged periods. A critical appraisal is needed of this published evidence to take stock of what is known about the effectiveness of emergency service response to Covid-19.
Method: A scoping review of scientific and grey literature identified 17 qualitative (N = 9), quantitative (N = 6), or mixed methods (N = 2) studies from across the UK and internationally that focus on the effectiveness of emergency service response to the Covid-19 outbreak. A narrative review was conducted using an interpretive approach. Papers were read, summarised, and then sorted into inductive themes that addressed some aspect of the review question. Eight critical themes emerged from the narrative review.
Results: Across countries, emergency services were required to quickly adapt working practices to reduce spread of infection, support partner agencies facing unprecedented demands, and make effective use of limited resources. Use of technology, access to timely, accurate and relevant information, strong leadership, prior experience, and emergency training were critical to this. However, most research is descriptive rather than evaluative.
Conclusions: Overall, findings highlight the need for further research that examines what mechanisms facilitate and hinder emergency response to pandemics. This scoping review provides a knowledge framework for informing future research that can support emergency services in preparing for events of national and international significance.
(© 2024 The Authors. The International Journal of Health Planning and Management published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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